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Two well-known Houston athletes have recently tied the knot, Houston-based media outlets reported.
Multi-decorated gymnast Simone Biles and Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens are the Bayou City’s newest high-profile married couple, entering the latest chapter of their lives together after they announced their engagement in February of last year.
Houston CW affiliate KIAH reported that Biles, who calls the north Houston suburb of Spring home, announced her marriage to Owens on Instagram.
“I do,” she wrote with a white heart emoji. “Officially Owens.”
Owens posted about the momentous occasion on Instagram as well, calling his now-wife, “My person forever.”
People.com reported that the couple were married in a civil ceremony at a county courthouse.
Pictures from the ceremony show Biles in a tiered white gown, which purportedly cost $119, and Owens in a tan suit, per the website.
NBC’s “Today” reported that the couple have a bigger wedding planned within the next month.
"We had to get married 'legally' here in the U.S. — since our wedding will be a destination wedding," Biles said, per the morning news/talk show.
Biles didn’t mention where the upcoming celebration will be, but hinted it’ll be abroad since some of her guests are still waiting on their passports, “Today” reported.
Among the up to 140 guests are the bride’s younger sister and Team USA teammates.
Citing People, Houston Daily reported early last year that Biles and Owens made their relationship public in August 2020.
Biles was competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was held in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted its postponement, when she and the soon-to-be sixth-year National Football League (NFL) veteran marked a year together.
She returned from Japan with a silver and a bronze to add to the four golds and bronze she captured at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 and her more than 20 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship medals.
Undrafted out of Missouri Western in 2018, Owens alternated between the Texans’ practice squad and active roster.
The 2022 season was the first time he started all 17 games, tallying 184 tackles, a quarterback (QB) hit and four pass deflections, according to Football Reference.
Owens’ best game as a pro was the Texans’ upset victory over the Los Angeles Chargers the day after Christmas 2021 in which he collected his first interception and scooped up his first fumble recovery.
“Today” reported that the couple will go on their honeymoon sometime later given the Texans’ offseason activities.
Biles has added her husband’s surname to her full name.